title: A nationwide survey of urinalysis practices of methadone maintenance clinics. Utilization of laboratory services.
abstract: The urinalysis practices of 324 methadone maintenance clinics were surveyed by using a brief self-report questionnaire. Results indicated that there was a wide variability in collection practices and utilization of laboratory techniques. The most frequent collection schedules were monthly (40%) and weekly (32%). The most frequent laboratory techniques used for initial screening were thin-layer chromatography and enzyme immunoassay. Confirmatory testing by a second technique was used by 69% of the laboratories. The most popular confirmatory techniques used were thin-layer chromatography, enzyme immunoassay, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The geographic differences in urinalysis practices also were noted. The implications for drug abuse treatment were determined.
authors.affiliation: Seattle Veterans Affairs Medical Center, WA 98108.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Saxon
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Calsyn
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Haver
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Erickson
mesh_terms: D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003625:Data Collection; D003710:Demography; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008691:Methadone; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000652:urine*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D008691:Methadone